In all my “Feel Good Books” and in tons of magazines I come across, I’m realizing it’s totally in right now to think that… Diets are in the past. Now you have to satiate your senses and eat until you’re full, that’s it, and that’s what’s most important.

All in all, I think it’s a good start.

It helped me to stop blaming myself in the months that followed my “crisis”. It helped me to stop blaming myself, but it also helped me a lot to continue not being able to button my jeans.

But really, the problem is that curves don’t come evenly. We’re not all like Crystal Renn, and gaining weight harmoniously… That’s luck that I just don’t have.

Life’s a bitch.

So, June arrived and I was in Paris at the Café de Flore with Sophie. We were drinking a glass of rosé and I’m watching her munch down chip after chip. She was loving each one as she always does and just as it always is, her silhouette was perfect.

And as always, I was telling her my whole life story, including my adventures with weight.

I asked her how she stays so perfect even after 40 years old rolled on by. She told me her trick.

And something clicked.

It’s not what she ate that inspired me… No, what got me was that she figured out how to really nourish herself. With her tastes, her desires, and even her lifestyle. For example, she has lunch all the time at Flore, so she’s integrated their menu into how she eats.

And right after she finished telling me all about that, she told me something that just cracked me up…

“And of course, you forget that the word dessert ever existed.”

No, no. That’s so impossible for me. No, no no no. I have my rules. And my rules, they’re as hard as iron… They’re stuff like :

Every breakfast has to consist of toast with butter. Real salted butter. And honey, of course.

And bread. Every meal has to have bread. My Papa taught me that just by teaching me to set the table (“Where’s the water? And the bread? Where’s the bread!?”)

Life is not worth living without a glass of wine and 12 cups of coffee a day.

Life isn’t worth living without snacks. And a snack is defined as a treat you can dunk in your tea.

Every meal has to finish with something sweet, otherwise it’s not a real meal, and therefore not real life.

Oh yeah, I’ve got some other words to live by:

Every cool self-respecting chick doesn’t exercise, because exercise is not cool. Have you ever seen Charlotte Gainsbourg exercising ? No !

And yet when Sophie talked to me about the way she feeds herself, her simplicity and groundedness inspired me.

I took a nice hard look at my “rules” and realized they were all pretty stupid.

So right then, I started changing things.

I started with giving up bread. Not completely, mind you, but in the past, I was the girl in the restaurant who finished the entire basket of bread before the appetizers arrived… And I eat out all the time.

I stopped eating desserts. Not all desserts, just mainly cakes and ice cream. I wanted to see what it felt like to end a meal without something sweet.

And the two were the same. It’s a little tough in the beginning, then you get used to it, and then you end up completely forgetting to look at the dessert menu.

After a few weeks, that’s what I did. But there would always be exceptions, because exceptions are part of life. I stayed cool about them.

I right away felt positive effects. And not only on my waistline but also with my self-image. I could eat differently without being totally frustrated. Realizing my “rules” weren’t anything more but bad habits to hide behind, not really understanding why I needed to change a system that worked up until then – even a system as chaotic as the one I had.

And I think I finally understood that if I gained some weight, it was my body telling me that it was tired of absorbing my excesses. I had to see it coming…. I’ve always eaten whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. After 30 hit, the machine got a little cranky. Metabolism just doesn’t deal with your chocolate pudding or your 3rd glass of wine the way it used to.

It made me actually stop and think about my health. Gaining weight, for me, it was never just a cosmetic problem or about pride or fashion.

There is a lot of type II diabetes in my family. And with my dumb rules, it was dangling right in front of my face.

Finding encouragement in my progress, I read a whole bunch of books on nutrition and applied some new principles that seemed to work for me. I revamped my entire way of eating.

No, it wasn’t following some diet. No, not counting calories. And it wasn’t stopping eating what I love to eat.

It was just harmonizing my way of eating with my tastes and my lifestyle. And that’s really personal. No one else can do that for you, and it would serve no purpose whatsoever if I told you what I’ve been eating. It suits no one but myself.

It’s been three months since this has clicked for me. Three months isn’t a long time, and I’m still fumbling around with how to feed myself. I’m changing slowly, one thing at a time.

I’m slowly adapting to where I live : if New York is hell to start with, you can quickly realize that there are tons of delicious healthy options on every corner.

I have a giant Whole Foods just down the street and an awesome Farmer’s Market every other day.

This weekend, locked in the house because the not so hurricane, I cooked. It’d been months since I’d fired up the stove. I forgot how nice it is.

I don’t eat toast and butter every morning anymore. That said, it’d be dumb to try to eat like a Frenchie here. Nothing tastes the same. Not even the French wine, it’s somehow too sweet… If you want a good red, you really have to go looking.

By the way, I still drink a glass of wine every day. Just one, except, you know, exceptions.

And I lost weight.

I’m far from being New York Skinny and that’s not at all my goal, but I got back to the weight I knew and the weight I feel most myself.

Now my friends ask me to be their weight-loss coach, that they’re inspired by me… And it just cracks me up.

Seriously? Me?

It’s funny… I never thought myself capable of change. And still, I wonder if I’m just dreaming here. I feel such a strong sense of balance and I hope to continue this way the rest of my life.

I loved this post! I definitely noticed a change in how my body could handle things after twenty-five and then again after thirty. Ironically, my weight used to constantly fluctuate between five or ten pounds, but finally evened out to a good weight when I stopped trying to diet and ate whatever I wanted when I wanted it. People think that when you say this, it means that you would constantly eat junk food, but this wasn’t the case for me at all. I was surprised to find that when I wasn’t thinking about food (what I should have and what I shouldn’t have), I did not want things like dessert or fries all of the time. A lot of the time, I actually crave well-prepared veggies…who knew?

Yes, it always is about balance. I find in my daily life it’s not so hard, it’s when you travel, it’s when I spend a month in nyc and want to sample every bit of delicious food that I pass in front of, that’s when balance and reason go out the window. But even that can only last so long, and your body starts to crave normality. Still, new york is a very very yummy place to live, a place where not eating dessert takes serious willpower.

Hi Garance,
I can’t help but think you’ve become quite neurotic since you moved to NY. I’m not blaming NY but I’ve just noticed a LOT of talk of weight, skin, being a ‘better you’ whatever the freak that means etc etc…..take it easy on yourself for goodness sake. You’re awesome. Don’t change. Please don’t change. It’s kinda sad to read actually. :-(
Kirsten

I like to ask my friends what they wish they had known, say, in college, about caring for their bodies, feeling good, etc. Mine is exactly what you have described… nourishing the body does wonders for getting rid of diet neuroses… one knows the great difference in eating something because they *think* it’s right/diet friendly rather than something that they truly want and that will be nourishing, and thus satisfying. Another great post Garance, thank you.

Also, drinking too much alcohol not only has calories, but you lose inhibitions and think you can eat food to absorb the alcohol and can gain weight that way too. Glad you’ve mastered eating and drinking in NYC!

Another great post! Congrats on finding a perfect balance for you! Just please don’t go too far and become one of those women who NEVER EVER eat desserts and roll their eyes when another women orders one :) You are too cool to become one of them :***

Ah, thoroughly enjoyed reading the third installation to your (so far) trilogy. This cracked me up: “a snack is defined as a treat you can dunk in your tea.”

I am trying to find my balance too, and recently started exercising again, and it actually feels good…Thanks to Tracy Anderson (DVD), haha! Now for the eating, am slowly working on it, trying not to eat as much, listening to my body: do I NEED to keep eating? Do I HAVE to have dessert (having said that, I ordered two on Saturday, I couldn’t decide, haha…but haven’t had dessert since *whew* )

Hi Garance,
I’m glad to hear that you are finding a way to adjust to NYC and that you are feeling better about yourself…
Diabetes Type II runs in my family, too and my nutricionist advised me to
a) follow a low-GI diet and to b) exercise at least three times a week. It takes a few weeks until you understand the logic of low-GI, but it’s not a very dramatic change and can be easily integrated into a foodie’s eating habits, believe me I know because I’m Italian ;-) …
Good luck with your changing lifestyle! And stay true to yourself, because you are an intelligent, funny, beautiful woman and a role-model for many of us!

Unbeliveable, the same thing happened to me, after i even had an eating disorder, and than after one year i completely changed my habits, and Ive never done a diet in my life. Well, im lactose and gluten intolerant so i must do a diet, but not that kind.
And its great to eat healthy without regrets if you put something delicios in your mouth!

Hi! I’m Federica from italy, and I’ve been reading your blog for a week now. I found it through thesartorialist and you know what, your is probably even more interesting ;)
I read your posts about your struggling with food and I saw a lot of myself in there, even though I’m 20 so I suppose I still have to face the over-30 change of metabolism, etc.
I think you spoke like a honest woman, and what you’ve been through is what most of us, of all ages, have been and are facing. During this summer I’ve been at home (I study in a different city) and I suffered a lot about food and nutrition, since I don’t really have much to do now (you know, summer holidays… ;) )… I gained weight, mostly for nervous hunger (is this how is called in english? I hope it is) and I didn’t really feel at ease with myself. On the other hand, I had a lot of free time to cook and think about my nutrition, so your posts are really inspiring to me. I’m starting in these days to conciliate again with myself, basically using the same tips you’ve been talinkg about in your posts.
Ok, I’m talking to much. The whole purpose of my comment here is to say that you’re not alone, and that also you’ve been helping my struggle with food and my body. Also, I saw a picture of you on thesartorialist a week ago, and let me say that you are a really beautiful woman, so don’t give up ;)
I hope my comment here is not too awkward :D
I’m looking forward to your next post!
ciao!

Great post Garance. I recently suffered from an eating disorder and your Changing Lifestyle “series” really made me think about my body and the way I treated it for last few months. Now I’m trying to get back to my old eating habits with little changes here and there. And your articles inspired me. So thank you Garance! I guess your my role model in some way :) because I like the way you’re writing and I’d like to have similar job like you (something to do with fashion and photography) in future.
Bises!

Hey Garance! I have 2 thoughts about this.. I´m glad you share your feelings because I´m sure a lot of women (including me) have this constant guilt about how much or how little they eat. But as I also read in other posts, you shouldn´t over think it so much, I know it´s hard but keep the faith in you, you are great! Just do the things you like to do! Keep the postitive thoughts Garance..

I’ve been following your blog for quiet a while now. I read the stories of how your illustrations got more more appreciated, how you moved to NYC and now the articles concerning food.
They are very well written and they made me giggle, because it is very very recognizable.
I can image we are about the same age and I have been struggling with the same issues for quiet some time. I’m not overweight, I am not Paris Skinny (let alone NYC skinny) but sometimes it’s hard to talk about this with other people because they can only see my diet/food issues as ‘exagérer’ and shallow.

But it’s more then just fitting into a skinny jeans… along the way of work, getting older and being busy all the time I lost touch of what food is.
Not just the resto or the supermarket or a dish or some sandwich at 14h30, but WHAT am I eating, how much and what IS normal food?

So I did, I made the challenge not to eat sugary sweets and pastries for 30 days. It started of as a silly experiment and I gained something very important. Conscious eating. I can’t live without a really good praline or a home made tarte tatin but you don’t need to have something like that every day, not even every week or every month. And just like you said… after a while it really isn’t a problem to balance this out.

Anyhow, I can relate, I enjoyed reading your blog posts about your food troubles. The are a breath of fresh air in the bulk of information about diets, health etc etc.
Keep on doing what your doing, because you do it very well!
An more importantly, live a happy day every day.

Finding your balance is something that comes from inside of you. When we find our balance, we eat better, we look healthier, we sleep better, etc.
I think people today, are very neurotic with weight and they forget to look inside themselves, to try to find peace. I know, it’s not easy, it’s hard work and this is a daily exercise.
Getting good habits, like, eating better, exercise, etc, would do great, however if you do not find peace in your life, in yourself, these habits will no stick with you much longer.

Very inspiring. I went through the same sort of situation in the past 2 months. I decided to make a change to make myself feel better about life in general. The happier you are, the more healthy. And I feel like a million bucks in comparison. Keep going… it can only get better from here!

Okay, so this is the best one you’ve written in the Changing Lifestyles series. Of course I loved the first two – they were just so relateable. But this one, well, you sounds so happy. And if you can express happiness on paper, then you must really BE happy.

So I’ve taken a good look at my own rules, and I guess I found my own bad food habits, the ones I’ve grown up with and therefore believe is the only way to eat.

And I think you’re right. What we eat is personal and has to fit with each individual’s tastes and lifestyle. I am off to figure out what works for me…

We are so much alike. I have a really difficult time changing my eating habits, but once I hit 30, I had to face the fact that I couldn’t eat a pint of ice cream, or a box or Oreos, or a whole bag of potato chips and get away with it.

I’ve tried lots of different ways to stay healthy, but I have to face facts: exercise for the sake of exercise doesn’t work for me and trying to restrict food makes me eat more in the long run. I’ve come to a place where I just try to eat as healthy as I can, and get out of the apartment and be active and it seems to be working for me.

I’m really happy to see that you are focused on being the best you you can be instead of aiming for that “New York skinny.” I’m happy just being New York healthy and I hope you are too!

I have to say, I’m a little upset by this article… And for living both in Paris and NYC, and not being very skinny, I totally feel you and I know what you are talking about…
But I sincerely think this is getting a little shallow and over-discussed.
You are a great, beautiful smart and creative woman, you are living a fairy tale.
Please don’t be obssessed with weight/skin/wrinkles/hair/etc, I know it’s important the way you look, but fashion needs to be fun! Tu vaux tellement plus que ça!!!

A woman is SUPPOSED to have a little extra fat, and you still be healthy and eat look radiant, with a little guilty pleasure.

this is what I hate about some media and especially magazine: why do women need to show such high feminine standards?? Men don’t even like it! Why do we all need to look like some kind of androgyne to fit in!

the real balance Garance, is when you stop thinking about it :-)
we are no photoshopped modesl or skinny teenagers, we are normal
YOU LOOK GREAT

Oh but exercise feels so good! and you’ll love the way your body feels after a good hard work out. The peace that comes from burning that energy and then basking in the increased adrenaline that comes with it.

Plus, you’re body will look awesome. Try reformer Pilates classes…especially the jump board or power/ advanced classes. You’ll see leg and arm muscles that are long and lean…and your core will hold you up high like never before. Seriously. I saw major positive changes after starting reformer classes – twice a week at a minimum. This is my teacher…http://youtu.be/RLazCyCn4oY
When you do it right, you are using your stomach and back to control everything and they get a good workout.

Hi!
So I’ve read all your N.Y.-weight-issues-post and I have to say, it’s really amazing to read! You know, I am a couple years younger, and I also struggle with these kind of things … I’ve been through that several times! The first phase when your weight starts bugging you, and then the phase when you go into complete panic and want to starve yourself (I never did, but you know), and I’ve had a hard time finding a balance that LAST. But now, through reading your blog, I’m pretty sure I’ve found my balance. So thank you SO much, and I think you’re really great, just the way you’re so laid-back about it – it’s really inspiring!
Good luck!

So, Garance… “shnack…. shnack”… sorry, just finishing my little snack of delicious fruit & yoghurt crackers here… “shnack… shnack”…. reading this post about delicious stuff, just made me hungry, and therefore I had to have a little snack. Don’t worry, it was composed by only two crackers. And no, they’re not “sugar free” or “light”. Why? Because, my friend, I don’t believe they do what they’re supposed to… substituting natural ingredients such as sugar or regular fat, for God knows what, does not sound healthy to me…

You know, I have to say I’m a little worried about you… I’ve followed you for years, and I’m very happy for you, that you’ve succeeded, in doing what you love and doing it well.

You are an inspiration for me and others. Your writing is always witty and fun and clever, and love reading your stuff, always puts a smile on my face! I think you’re a smart, intelligent and talented woman, and to me you look perfect the way you are.

It’s good to move forward, to improve, to better oneself, I’m all for that. But just make sure all this “Changing Lifestyle” thing, happens for the right reasons, and not because you feel pressured to do so, due to what surrounds you. Know what I mean?

Garance, you are so right! I study health education, and I believe diets are detrimental to health. (The human body can usually only take restraint for so long, hence the usual inevitable overeating, etc.) Plus, if you’re constantly hungry, your body will force you to eat! Simply put, diets do not work.

It sounds cheesy, but once you get rid of rules and restraint, and eat what you want, WHEN you’re hungry (with exceptions of course — don’t be rigid; if you’re at a party and simply want to eat socially, don’t beat yourself up), and I think your tastes end up adjusting and you begin to crave real, healthy foods. The flip side is that if you eat truly awful (highly processed) foods, it can sabotage your taste buds, but that’s another matter. No need to get too technical in a blog comment. :)

I just wanted to say it’s refreshing to hear that you are shunning diets — I’m happy for you! It’s all so simple when it comes to it, right? When you’re hungry, eat real food, and enjoy it. (I think there’s an inverse relationship between the amount of time you spend worrying about health, and how healthy you actually are!)

Bravo for the advices!!! Comon sense is always welcome!!!. Just one personal advice :Walking , walking walking, Garance. Is easy and nice, I have to travel a lot, too, and it is the only way to move , and see the landscape, or the townscape, or the seascape…Un abrazo!!!

Moving into a new place, let alone city is very difficult. Everyone needs their time to adjust. So give yourself credit for successfully doing that!!
I am glad that you found your balance with food as well :)

Do not forget to exercise -I am totally in favor of that.Find what you like and nourish your body and your mind!!

Thank you so much for your beautiful and honest articles, drawings, and photographs. I have been following your blog for a long time, and you portray such a diverse, wholesome, and lovely account of womanhood… this post especially spoke to me – my lifestyle lately has been changing a lot, and it is so difficult to maintain perspective (and dress size!) in times of change. merci beaucoup!

Thanks for sharing this story as it resonates with me because after having moved to a new place, where the pace of life is faster, somewhat, my appetite has not always been steady. Plus, the social pressure to be perfectly restrained in all aspects of life is severe and food becomes a weapon. Thank you for setting a positive example.

Ah, I can not relate more to this post! I recently made a diet change. I was eating like a queen but expecting to be skin and bones like a peasant. So how to become the peasant without starving? Simply what you have pointed out: small, easily adaptable changes. I, too, cut out the bread at every meal, the 3+ glasses of wine daily, and now choose fruit over a biscotti. Small changes not only contour your waistline, but the way you treat food. Bravo! Keep up the positive eating! May the stale, uneaten bread and left over wine rest in peace.

Ahhh Garance every time I read one of your posts I just want to give you a great big hug. There is so much fake-ness is the fashion industry, yet you are the gleaming beacon of reality that shines through all of the shit! The things you say relate to every woman out there, no matter age or size. Hell, I am 16 and I relate to so much you say. Please never ever stop writing.

Garance, It made me laugh when I read that you eat bread, butter and honey in the morning- that is definitely what I have! I have been trying so many different methods of losing weight, and I’ve become so frustrated with all of them. Thank you so much for sharing this insight. When I first read it, everything seemed to click, and it has inspired me to try to do the same! Thank you so much for your great Example!

I was lucky, since my metabolism did not really slow down until I was about 50 (it’s genes, I guess), but that made it very difficult to change my eating habits. I’d always eaten healthily (except for sweets), and rarely drank, but I was used to never considering calories or portion sizes or having to exercise. I had to completely restructure my mind to consider that foods had calories, and that if I didn’t exercise I would end up gaining about five pounds a year! I don’t do calorie-counting, because I think food is to be enjoyed and not made into data, but I did end up integrating some basic information that now makes it easier for me to set limits. The balance is between being able to enjoy food with abandon (one of life’s great pleasures) and maintaining health. When it becomes more second-nature for you, you’ll be fine. And exercise – well, I will always have to push myself to do it. I’m happy that I have enough vanity to motivate me!

Salut Garance!
You have been inspiring with your blog for a couple of years now, but this is the first time I have commented on a post. Growing up is hard to do (hitting your 30’s). Trying to figure out and accept change without feeling like you’re loosing the things that you love about yourself is difficult at times. I’ve been going through that myself. I suppose that finding joy in simplicity and and evolving with style takes practice, but IT IS possible…
xo

garance, pls tell us the principle of your new way of eating… not necessarily what you’ve been eating but just the principle behind adapting what you eat to your tastes and lifestyle… with an example perhaps… that would be so helpful… great job on the blog, by the way!

This conversation is so important… Thank you for continuing to share your journey with us. I’ve always eaten whatever I wanted until my doctor made me see a nutritionist due to my dangerously high cholesterol level. When the nutritionist warned about my triglyceride level and the possible stroke awaiting me if I continued down this path, I knew I had to change my approach to food. The thought of actual grease in my blood made me want to cut back on the butter and fatty foods and cheese. Funny thing was, I never felt deprived. I’ve since fallen off the wagon a little (just had a double scoop of ice cream!) but I’ve changed enough in my diet to have made a difference… Being naturally slim doesn’t mean you are immune to health risks!

I really love reading these posts – quite inspiring. It’s great that you have found a way to deal with that special house warming gift you received after moving to the US. Also, it’s good to read that you didn’t start a crazy crash diet, but just adjusted your way of eating. I think that is a very important message. It’s unnecessary to cut out all the nice treats (sweet and/or savory) that you love to eat, as long as you eat it in moderation. That way you don’t punish yourself and keep on (or start) feeling great about yourself.

While I do love your posts and honesty (and your drawings and photos etc etc).. I do have to say I agree with Kirsten… seems like your focus has shifted significantly towards appearance/weight/looks. It does seem you are a little obsessive over it and it is rather frustrating reading your posts which give the impression that you desperately want to fit in with these impossibly thin, waif-like New York It girls, despite your assertions otherwise. Just my 2 cents.

I think it is so easy to gain weight in USA. Most of the food there is not even real, whole food. I have lived in Paris for 10 years and do not have a problem with my weight. Of course, I walk-metro everywhere in Paris. I do 2 hour yoga classes 3-4 x per week…Plus I walk my dog for 2 hours plus every day. I love my wine but try to not drink sunday-weds…I am not that into sweets but allow myself to have a pain au chocolat on the weekends..I just bought a juicer and I am juicing vegetable juices ( no fruit).
I think as we get older our bodies change and we have to be flexible to go with the flow.

Hi Garance.. very interesting post… and so true… balance is the key. in my late teens and 20’s i was a size 8 (back in the day that was a slim size) then when i hit my thirties i became a size 10, completely fine about that, then i reached my 40’s and became a size 12, now i am in my mid fifties and am mostly a size 12 but sometimes a 14. I do not look overweight at all. So every decade i have gone up a size. I would say that my metabolism has slowed down, because i have a huge appetite and always have done and i would never ever in a million years consider going on a diet. I think i look fine and am very happy with my body and myself, however, i would contribute that i would not like to be larger as i am small boned and being any larger i would look plump. So these days i do more exercise, i go to the gym, do cardio, then weights and then swim (breastsroke though, nothing too demanding) and this keeps me fit.

So for all those young woman who read your blog .. i would recommend never to diet, but just keep an eye on the chocolate /wine/bread/salts and sugars and keep moving.

Excellent! As you say, principles are principles – you should have many, so you can change them.
Il faut avoir des principes. Beaucoup, pour en changer souvent.

When it comes to deserts, my rule is simple: I only eat very good ones. It is worth having a pastry by Ladurée, Millet, La Maison du Chocolat, Pierre Hermé etc. A supermarket or local restaurant pastry is only worth the trouble in exceptional circumstances.

Thank you so much for the inspiration,Garance! After your words I realized that some things that for my opinion were making me me were just my childish bad habits. So simple to understand but I realized it only after your post. I though – if even such lifelover like you acknowledge that it was just a bad habit then it’s also true for myself!
love your blog as always! stay on you way to perfection but ,please, stay as childish as you are at the same time! that’s why people love you.

This was really to read, thank you Garance! The thing is that after 30-35-40 you can’t eat as a 27 year old anymore ( unless you are not Charlotte Gainsbourg.. look at her mum, its in the family ) The funny thing is that we here up north admires the French people’s food and eating, Your bread is much more pure, same your your milk, cheese and meat, not so processed as our food up north or as in the states. What comes to dessert, you can have half of it, with Scott? OR have some on saturdays? Bread is evil, that is for sure :) Butter and cheese is not. 3 meals a day, and no snacks, that is a good rule, lot of wanter, no fruits, just berries, a lot of fish, chicken and eggs and veggies. A pizza on fridays, dessert on saturdays, never go hungry, and rest of the week skip the sugar, walk everywhere, do some yoga and pilates, that’s it. And LOVE yourself, and do not compare yourself to Kate Moss or Charlotte Gainsbourg, they are not the average girls :) Hugs!

When you said “I think I finally understood that if I gained some weight, it was my body telling me that it was tired of absorbing my excesses. ” the penny dropped! How come no one has said this before, it makes total sense! Thanks x

that list is totally my list! i always feel hungry if i haven’t eaten a carb… but, as i’ve also hit the over 30 mark, i totally understand with the metabolism thing. after a trip back from paris/italy, and a week of gorging on croissants, REAL amazing pasta, and macarons, my body is so mad at me. :( i love that your approach to weight gain is so rational! you are a wise woman garance!

Thank you Garance, i was crying when i read this post in the office, i am 31, working in the fashion field for 11 years, struggle with weight problem 24/7, i know the feeling, i tried to tell myself that i am perfect and beautiful, but still, deep down in my heart i know i need to be as skinny as anyone else, but now i want to get out of this!!! because without a healthy body and mind, there is nothing left, i will find my balance back~~~~~~~~that’s do this together!!

Garance <3 loving everything about you and your words. I'm glad you're eliminating the "cool chicks don't exercise" rule, because I promise it makes you feel even happier which is life's KEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go get 'em girl! Hugs from IL!!!

Great post Garance! Its so important for people in the fashion industry, like you, to bring such a real and true and holistic message to to the table. Finding your own way does not have to mean a sacrifice, it can actually enhance your enjoyment of eating and relationship with food even more. And I was going to to share my experiences but then I read the comments and Susie had already… My sentiments exactly .

It’s good to hear that you feel better with yourself. But I have to admit that I was a little disappointed about that last story. What about “And about gaining weight, I stopped beating myself up about it. I told myself that if it’s my destiny to become round, well, then why the hell not? … And it wouldn’t hurt to have that influence in the fashion world.” It seems like in the end it’s all about being thin, isn’t it?

I am sooo happy for you and the positive changes to your already positive life! i just love when people drop the attitude that only carb-full, sweet or fat food could be enjoyable, no need for such drama hehe! I remember when my body started “speaking” to me of its needs, and it’s just great! and it knows best!
love your blog, you are trully an inspiration! and so sinsere!

Same thing with me! Always been thin but after quiting smoking i gained 7 kilos! Had never ever worked out in my whole life and started a disastrous yoga class I could not even stand. After serioysly taking notice of my eating habits and lifestyle (working really long hours) I hv changed my geasy dinners to salads and hv started cross fit personal training wick works.
Have not seen miracles yet but the body changes, especially before turning 30.
Love your blog – such an inspiration!
Keep it up :) xxx